German Phrase
Dreh die Hitze hoch.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Turn the heat up.’ It is a command to increase the temperature, most often while cooking. Figuratively it can also mean to raise the intensity of a situation.
When to use
Use this phrase in the kitchen when you want someone to increase the stove’s temperature, or in a broader context to tell someone to make something more intense (e.g., a discussion, a workout, a party).
✦Grammar Breakdown
DrehdieHitzehoch
Imperativ (du)
‘Dreh’ is the singular informal imperative of the verb *drehen* (to turn). It is used when speaking to one person you know well.
Definite article (accusative)
‘die’ is the feminine accusative article, because *Hitze* is a feminine noun and it is the direct object of the verb.
Noun – Hitze
*Hitze* means ‘heat’ and is a feminine noun (die Hitze). In this construction it functions as the object that is being turned.
Adverb ‘hoch’
‘hoch’ is an adverb meaning ‘up’ or ‘higher’. After the verb‑object pair it tells us the direction of the turning.
🗨In Conversation
Dreh die Hitze hoch.
Turn the heat up.
Okay, ich stelle sie auf 200 °C.
Okay, I’ll set it to 200 °C.
✕Common Mistakes
Dreh die Hitze höher.
‘höher’ is a comparative adjective and does not collocate with ‘drehen’. Use the adverb ‘hoch’ or the verb ‘erhöhen’.
Die Hitze hochdrehen!
While ‘die Hitze hochdrehen’ is understandable, the standard order in a command is ‘Dreh die Hitze hoch.’
↔Alternatives
Erhöhe die Hitze.
Increase the heat.
Stell die Hitze höher.
Set the heat higher.
Mach die Hitze stärker.
Make the heat stronger.
Cultural Tip
In German kitchens the word *Hitze* is used more colloquially, while *Temperatur* is the technical term. Native speakers often say *die Hitze hochdrehen* or simply *hochdrehen* when talking about a stove. In a figurative sense, Germans also use *die Hitze erhöhen* to describe a heated argument or a tense atmosphere.